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Sunday, October 25, 2009

Wendy Vecchi Inspires Us To MAKE ART!!!

I don't have the best picture....but here is Wendy Vecchi (in the middle), with Heidi (left) and I (right) on the Artful Voyage cruise. I know the picture is out of focus, but...trust me, we are all good looking....(hee, hee)! Wendy is holding the super cool Inspiration Board she made, it was one of our classes on the boat! As you can tell, we had a BLAST in her class!

You all have heard about the Artful Voyage with Tim Holtz and Wendy Vecchi (pronounced like "Becky" but with a "V"), right? I know you all know who Tim Holtz is, right? But...we'll talk about him some other time!

Today I want to talk about the very talented and creative Wendy Vecchi (whom I also believe is the sweetest person on the face of the earth!).

Wendy has been in the industry for a while now. In addition to designing her own line of stamps (The Studio 490 Collection), she does design work for Maya Road, Tim Holtz, Idea-ology, and Ranger. She is also an exclusive demo artist for Ranger and teaches classes for Stampers Anonymous.

I tell you what - the GIRL LOVES GRUNGE! The things she can do with Grungepaper, Grungeboard, and Maya Road Chipboard are absolutely phenomenal! She uses colors that are warm and inviting. Her specialty, Grungepaper Flowers, are stunning and add texture and dimension to all of her projects.

We learned how to make the flowers on the cruise. You can stamp the image on Grungepaper and then cut them out. Then ink both sides with Tim Holtz Distress Ink and stamp with a background stamp. Curl the petals up - since they are made on grungepaper, the shape will hold! Layer different sizes and styles on top of each other to make a fabulous 3-dimensional flowers! Don't forget to embellish the centers!

Want to cover yours in your favorite paper? Just stamp the image on Grungepaper, cut it out, then glue it upside-down to the back of your favorite paper. Jenni Bowlin Mini Papers work great because they have small designs on them. Then, cut around the grungepaper again and sand the edges. You can leave them like that, or ink them up! Curl them, layer them, embellish them and voila!

Here's a fabulous picture of "Mr. Rick" (Wendy's trusty assistant and husband) rolling up his sleeves and getting ready to work hard. It's out of focus as well, but I just thought it was cute and wanted to include this picture too! He was such a nice and helpful man!

Wendy has a creative eye that allows her to "think outside the box" when it comes to use of embellishments. Tim Holtz's Game Spinners come to life in her art by becoming bodies for butterflies or flower stems. The center of flowers "pop" by using Buttons, Vintage Ephemera, Gemstones, Tim Holtz's Foliage, and especially, Tim Holtz's Snaps (she's a "snapaholic" - she buys them by the hundreds!). I know, I know, I could go on all day! Did I mention how sweet of a person she is too?!?!

So if you haven't seen Wendy's Art by now.....please squeeze out of that great big rock you've been living under and check her out!!!! HERE is a link to her blog. I know you will be inspired and you will fall in love, too!

******BLOG CANDY ALERT*******You knew it was coming didn't you! I can't help giving stuff away. It is just so much fun! Here's the deal - and it is HUGE! Just become a follower of our blog (if you aren't already) and comment on you favorite Wendy Vecchi Stamp Set, Mounted Rubber Stamp, or even one of her techniques! At the end of the week, I will draw ONE lucky winner at random. That person will receive ONE WENDY VECCHI UNMOUNTED STAMP SET of their choice AND a copy of Wendy's Book, MAKE ART, STUDIO 490 STYLE. Whew, I just hope that person is sitting down when they receive the news so they don't faint! hee hee:)

My favorite, you ask? Well, I love the flowers in the Lower Case Art Stamp Set. The round flower is the one she turned into a pumpkin for the Halloween project she did to the left. I know, pretty creative, huh! It is so cute!

I also really like the Berry Tree stamp (it is also available unmounted in the Mail Art set).

But, my favorites are her sayings. I love "Always Move". It says "always move in the direction of your dreams". This one really inspires me everyday to be grateful for what I have and to work towards my goals in life. I am a big believer in dreams! Here it is in a piece Wendy made. So cool...did you notice the Sprocket Gear in the flower center?

Well, I guess it really isn't that easy to pick a favorite, is it? I hope that this has inspired you to "Make Art" (in Wendy's words).

133 comments:

What a fantastic trip ! :-) I have had a lovely browse around Wendy's blog ,, she does absolutely fantastic work ,, what an inspiration !! I love all her stamps and to pick a fave is impossible ,,, but 2 of my faves would be the Alphabetically Art and It's more Flower Art,, hope my name comes up ,, I would LOVE to win one of her stamps and her fabulous book !! :-)LuvLols x x x

Oh wow, what an inspiration Wendy is, I would have loved to have watched her at work. Just love all her stamp sets, I can think of a use for all of them but I especially love the flower she made into a pumpkin - fantastic !

What a great chance to win some f Wendy's beautiful stamps and book!!Off course I would love to win it,and it might be my lucky day!My favourite stamps from Wendy are the Art by number set,my second best stamps is the Lower Case Art set.

Wasn't Wendy just great!..such a lovely talented lady! My sister & I had a fantastic time on the cruise...I'm now a follower...& I don't think I could possibly choose just one stamp of hers..I loved them all! I did enjoy learning how to make the roses.

Man o'Man, you have the best blog...I just love Wendy's stamps, the tape measure, and numbers, well, the dots are great too....fingers crossed that my name comes up...Write me when you have time, I can't wait to finish up my projects.Sending hugs..

I was on the cruise too and i just wanted to add: Wendy is such a sweet person - did you mention that already :) I fell in love with her work as soon as I saw it. My favorite set is Ticket to Art - I use the leaf for all my flowers.

Oh geez....you would have to make me choose. Drats! I love Rose Art Dimensional (so want to make some of her famous roses) and I like Alphabetically Art. So fun. And what a wonderfully inspiring book to go along with it. I really enjoyed perusing your blog. So glad I found it via Wendy! Thanks for the chance to win - just try to get me to faint! I dare you!

Love Wendy's stamps!!! Her work is fantastic! So glad she mentioned your blog on her's! My fav. is Dimensional Rose as I love makeing the grungepaper roses! But like you said hard to really pick a favorite, they are all great! Thank you for a chance at winning one of her stamps & book!!!

I am soooooooo jealous .... I wanted to go on the cruise and I really really really need to meet the very talented Mrs Vecchi .... I could n't pick a favourite - I LOVE all Wendy's stamps ... I just need one more set ... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me win the card art essentials one .... pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease ...

This would have been the trip of a lifetime for me---you are sooo lucky!!!! Wendy AND Tim together!! I'll bet you had the time of your life!! I have been a fan of Wendy's for a long time. I can't believe how talented she is! Her work is sooo unique & absolutely stunning. I can always spot her works of art anywhere. And Tim--OMG!! Wish I could create like him! He too is VERY unique and his art if just FABULOUS!! I personally would be honored to be able to win ANYTHING of hers. I LOVE the Mail Art Stamps!! The hand stamp with the pointing finger is her trademark! Thank you so much for sharing your projects from your amazing trip--I would treasure them forever!!

Having had the opportunity to take a class from the very creative Wendy, it's so hard to choose just one! All her sets are so versatile. Right now I'm having fun playing with Make Mine Mini Art so it's my current fave.

I came here from Wendy's blog. What a wonderful blog posting about your cruising craft time with Wendy. I've become a follower and can't wait to explore your on-line store. My fav Wendy set right now is Dimensional Rose Art. Thanks for an opportunity to get more Studio 490 stamps.

I love Wendy's stamps. My favorite flower is a combination of the large flower from Flower Art as the base and then layer on the large and small flower stamps from Forever Art. It makes the coolest flower.

Wendy has been a fav of mine for quite some time and is on my blog list so I get to fly over to her blog as soon as she posts and what she posts is always amazing. I really could not choose ONE stamp set as they are all amazing. So if I win I would be happy to receive any of them as I do not own any yet. . .I know sad it is, but I seem to be only able to get them overseas (I live in Australia) and the postage is a killer.RegardsMichelle

I love Wendy's stamps and to pick one is so hard to do. . . I think I would have to say that I do not have the rules to live by yet and so want that set. I am glad I found you a big thanks to Wendy for showing me the way to your store.

Found your blog through Wendy, I am now a follower. I would have to say the one I would love to have is Natures Art (love the butterfly), followed very closely by Dimensional Rose Art, although it is almost too hard to choose! Thanks for the chance!

I've recently discovered Wendy's fabulous stamps and received my first two sets today in the post, Rose art & making it merry, they're not so easy to come by in the UK so I shall be checking them out on the Simon Says website. Can't believe how huge the stamps are! Thanks for offering some fab blog candy, fingers crossed, Dawn x

I also love Wendy"s Lower Case Art set. I'm currently wearing out the round flower/seed pod in seasonal pumpkin themed pieces but the Lotus type of flower in the set is truly stunning as a dimensional grunge flower! Shimmer mist, or perfect pearls or pearlized water color just makes this one absolutely POP!

One set? I don't think so. I have 3/4 of the sets ... need to get the rest before new ones come out LOL... Right now I'm loving Artfully said - the flower is very cool... but then again maybe my favorite is lower case or nature.......

I'm new to your blog... found you via Wendy's blog. I've joined as a follower and would love a chance to be a winner :) However, picking a favorite stamp is almost impossible!!!! I do really like the rules to live by... and the flowers, and the leaves, and.....lol, it goes on.

What do I not love about Wendy, her stamps & her techiniques!?A friend of mine was on the cruis & we sat admiring her bulletin board as we dug through her suitcase of goodies for hours. That bulletin board project was the cutest thing ever! I LOVED the fave with the film strip eyeglasses. The Forever Art & All About Art stamp sets are 2 of my faves. Thanks for the chance to win such a YUMMY prize! :)

Wendy's stamps are to die for. I have been trying to locate her book for some time. I live in a rural area and it bites when it comes to shopping for all the goodies. I usually travel 90 miles to the closest stamp store to get my paws on stuff. I just wanted to say it looks like you had a GREAT time.. i wish I could have been a part of the cruise. Thank you for a fantastic blog! :-)

Decisions:Decisions!!!!!!!!! All Wendys stamps are so great and versatile but my favourite has to be Art from the Heart as it was the first one i bought here in England, its getting so much easier to find them now, so bang goes the budget!!!! luv Georginax

I have several favorite sets but my very, very favorite is Funky Flower Art. I use those cool flowers almost every day! I love making flowers and always adding new and interesting embellishments to them! Thanks for the opportunity to ein another set!

I have several favorite sets but my very, very favorite is Funky Flower Art. I use those cool flowers almost every day! I love making flowers and always adding new and interesting embellishments to them! Thanks for the opportunity to ein another set!

Sorry I didn't get to meet you on the cruise, and am loving your blog. I love all of Wendy's stamps, but I'll pick Art Rules because I LOVE that art chick image that we used on the bulletin board. It would be awesome to have the chance to win it!Eileen in NYC

You are the luckiest ladies on the planet - with Wendy and Tim for a whole week!! I love Wendy's blog and she is soooo inspiring! Thanks for a chance to win her amazing book & stamps.(I bet you are already signed up for next year's cruise)

Wendys stamps how do you choose one I would have to say Dimensional rose art, most probably because I can not get hold of it anywhere right now, the chance to win a set and a book is just fantastic, thankyou for the chance and the cruise sounds like it was just the best time x

I love Wendy's stamps! But to pick one of my fav's would be Natures art, although they are all great, and i also love Lower case art, hmmm hard choices. Thanks to simon says stamps and to wendy for the chance to win

I just love Wendy and her stamps! I think my favorite is Studio 490's Dimensional Rose Art set, since I want to be able to make those roses that Wendy is known for! My favorite single stamp is Berry Tree stamp! Thanks for the chance to win!

Wendy and her art are so easy to love, and get absolutely addicted to!!!! My fave set currently is the Dimensional Rose Art...for roses of course!!! Thanks for a chance to win!! I really like your blog too!!

I love all Wendy's art. She makes me want to "make art". To pick just one of her stamp sets as a vourite is a hard task. I love them all but I guess it would be a 3 way tie for Lower Case Art, Nature's Art and Make Mine Mini Art. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

I LOVE Wendy's stamps, and the grungepaper flowers are fabulous. I saw them for the first time at Stampaway USA in Cincinnati in August, and knew I had to try to make some. I had questions, emailed Wendy on a Sunday afternoon, and guess what? She emailed me right back!!! I believe you when you say she's the sweetest person on the face of the earth!!! I love all her stamps, but right now only have one set--the lower case alphabet that you love, too. I'm sure I could use some more favorites though!!!

Thanks for the chance to win! My current favorite of Wendy's is Art from the Heart set. I love that tulip made from grungeboard and colored with distress inks! I became a follower of your blog also! Kathy Eddy

I also was on the cruise and had an awesome time. Wendy's classes were so great. Such a sweet lady along with a great assistant Rick. I liked all her stamps but I guess I would say Art-fully Said is one of my favorites. I purchased her book and it is so inspiring.

well that is a VERY tough question - they all work so well together, and you really need more then one set to complete a project .... I can tell you I love the leaves from a Ticket to Art - Lower Case Art is a good one as well as Card Art Essentials - they are all really neat.And I would love to win!Thanks for the fun!Sandra

Found your wonderful site through Wendy's blog. Being on the cruise was my first experience with Wendy's art and learning how to make her flowers was a real treat. My favorite stamp set is Nature's Art. Thanks for a chance for an awesome prize.

Ok, I am a follower! Just found your blog from Wendy's blog. I haven't had a chance yet to explore. My favorite stamp set that I HAVE is Art from the Heart. The next favorite one that I WANT is dimensional rose art! Please let me win, please!!!!

I can't pick a favorite Studio 490 stamp set..it's too hard, I love sooo many of them. I sure would love a copy of her book too. I sure hope that the blog candy fairy picks me. But, then I guess I would still have to work hard at picking out a favorite set then. Hisses, Rockin Robin Caldwell (stampinsavage at yahoo dot com)

I'm new to your blog and online store and love it. I also love the networking and sharing that scrapbookers n stampers do how else would I have found you if not for Wendi "sharing". As for the favorite stamp set of Wendi's my choice at the moment would be "Lower case art".

if i must declare a favorite it will be art rules. the head is cool and i like the "if you can imagine it you can create it" phase. i have become a follower and have my fingers crossed for the great blog candy.

I LOVE Wendy's stamps!!! And you're right...she is one of the sweetest persons. I was lucky enough to take a few of her classes. Highly recommend it! It's very difficult to pick my favorite stamp...so I'll pick two..Alphabetically Art and Lower Case Art. Thanks for the blog candy!!

My son's name is Simon so i love your name! My fav Wendy 490 stamp set is #LCS018 It's More Flower Art. Thx for chance. I do not know how to subscribe to your blog, but if you let me know i would love to.LenaS, paperbacker2004@yahoo.com

Only found your website and Blog today through Wendy's blog....now its in my favorites, and it's good to see you post to the UK. My favorite stamp has to be "Art from the heart". Thanks for sharing your voyage.x

I love love love Ticket to Ride - you can use it on almost any project. (Plus, I love the Beatles song) I love all of Wendy's sets containing flowers. Grungepaper flowers rule, and Wendy is the best teacher. I loved making my flowers on the cruise.

Oh, what I wouldn't give to win this!!! I am fairly new to Wendy's stamps... and I spent so much $$ on that cruise that I just couldn't get all that I wanted.I fell in love with "Art Rules" when we used the woman, but I also really like "Alphabetically Art" and "Funky Flower Art". I love those half flowers.

Oh, what I wouldn't give to win this!!! I am fairly new to Wendy's stamps... and I spent so much $$ on that cruise that I just couldn't get all that I wanted.I fell in love with "Art Rules" when we used the woman, but I also really like "Alphabetically Art" and "Funky Flower Art". I love those half flowers.

Hi!!! I LOVE ALL of the Wendy Vecchi stamps, but my fave are the flower stamps. I mean look at all the beautiful flowers she makes!!!! I love all your items also, as I have purchased from you before. Thanks for the chance to win!!!

I love Wendy's flowers, I had so much fun with her on the cruise making the flowers. I wish I didn't get sick and miss her last (big) class. I missed our last night with you girls too, hehe. Had a blast thanks for such a great time and a great blog candy.RoRo from Ohio

I have crawled from under a big rock this week.A friend was telling me about the awesome cruise. All of the fun she had and how creative everyone was...I had know of Tims' blog, but not of Wendy Vecchi or Simon Says Stamp blogs. I have bookmarked both sites.I don't have any of Wendys' stamps.I would love to win a set, any set and her book......Her Wrought Iron Border stamp looks so neat.When my ship comes in, I'll be back to shop. :)Dawn

OH MY GOSH! I discovered Wendy's blog a few days ago, and I have been exploding with ideas ever since. Fortunately, a friend had given me a piece of grunge paper, or I would have lost my mind! I couldn't believe it when I discovered that I had a die that would cut a flower to make the rose. I am in the process of doing that now. How can I pick a favorite? There's the flowers, and the colors, and the roses, and the stamps; I love everything! I guess my favorite stamp is the dot background, I have been looking for one like that forever. I don't know what set it is in, but I HAVE TO HAVE IT! I would order it now, but I just ordered 3 packs of grunge paper and 4 distress pads from guess who? I love you guys,Janis Morris

I cannot choose just one of Wendy's stamps as a favorite! I have several sets already and love, love, love them! I won't be satisfied until I own them all! Tee-hee! Her stamps are great, but she is FANTASTIC! What a generous, gracious, talented,and funny woman! LeAnn

Wendy's classes are like a breath of fresh air! I was fortunate to be able to take one of her classes at StampFest in Orlando, Florida and to purchase three of her stamp sets; Funky Flower Art, Nature's Art and Forever Art. I love making those funky flowers!!!

Thank you so much for sharing your projects from your trip. What a trip of a life time - to be with both Wendy & Tim!!! I would die and go to heaven! I can't imagine being so lucky to win, but I think I would go nuts picking a favorite stamp when ALL of them are my favorite!

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This blog is the sole responsibility of Simon Says Stamp. It's contents are managed by the team here and we enjoy sharing these great ideas with you. Please feel free to use the inspiration provided, however, we ask that you respect the work of the artists involved.